Holy Bobcat, Batman! Searles thrilled with local sightings

December 7, 2012

A pair of bobcats are enjoying the early winter in Mammothâ€™s neighborhoods, and wildlife specialist Steve Searles says he is ecstatic.

â€śFor people to be able to observe that in a community, itâ€™s a great indicator of one of the things thatâ€™s going really right in our town,â€ť he said at the Mammoth Town Council meeting Wednesday evening.

â€śTo have local bobcats being observed multiple times a day, itâ€™s something we should be really proud of, and celebrate.â€ť

Searles said there is no reason for people to be alarmed by the two critters.

â€śThereâ€™s nothing to be afraid of. They donâ€™t want to eat your cats or dogs.â€ť

Not so among the local coyotes, though.

Searles said coyote sightings are on the upswing, even as six large bears continue to raid trash dumpsters throughout the town.

â€śThe coyote population this time of year gets very busy,â€ť Searles told the council, â€śand so if you have a small dog or outdoor cats, Iâ€™d be aware of the local coyotes that youâ€™re seeing on the streets.